P 65 
.B'l3 






<* .. ^ '" f 







t'- •"-^. 



^^o^ 












A^'y^i^^S c°'.^>A ..**\v:^/^'e. /.';.4;>."°o .^'".-j^/^ 





' 




/, 


''-n.. 


0^ 


°A 


.^•^ 


°^ 

















V'^^ 














,*^ 




-^ '■■A- '^^,'*^\/ "%.*^-'/ ^^,'*^\/ "°^^^-'/ -^^z 








v-^;^ 




^^•i" 






<. 




'-^o^ 











v-o^ 



< o 








0^ ."^^ 






v-<,^ 



/.i^i^A /\'^:«^/"^-. /.'^>A ^ 



V'^'^ 





■a? ^ 









^^■i" 



-**■ 



Colonial Land- 
marks or THE 

Old Bay y TATE 




"-©N^// 



dJ..:nr,,d f. l^ndL. 



Lynn. Mass: 

SOUVENIR PUBLISHING COMPANY. 

MDCCCXcvr. 



22088 



•NECOPy Rer 



library of Congress 

Two Copies Received 
JUL' 19 1900 

Copjirigiil entry 



FIRST copy, 

ENTERED, ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS IN THE YEAR 1896, BY ' ^"" Copv OeiJvered to 

SOUVENIR PUBLISHING COMPANY, ORDEi? D) VIS -ON 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington, D.cJ /. ' ^' 



y^jL^JU^ (o'Ti'^y n>h 



SECOND EDITION. 



DEDICATORY PREFACE. 



Interest in all things pertaining to Colonial or Revolutionary times is rapidly 
increasing, and what few old Colonial Landmarks are left, should be, and are to a 
great extent, being preserved as the headquarters of Historical societies, and filled 
with those relics interesting to all true Americans. 

The purpose of this book is to bring some of these grand old Landmarks, 
most of which are still standing, into greater prominence; if this is accomplished, 
its mission will be fulfilled. 

To those who should be most interested in these historical Landmarks, the 
SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION, this book is respectfully 
dedicated. 



ill 



Preface 



T-&6- 





V 


Contents. 






'««^«^ 




Con- 
tents 


Illustration and Description of 


PAGE 




Hancock House, Boston, . . - 


7 




Paul Revere Houses, Boston and Watertown, - 


8 




Pierce House, Dorchester, . - - 


9 




Blake House, " . . - 


10 




Warren House, Roxbury, . . . 


11 




Russell House, Arlington, . . . 


12 




Roger Williams' House, Salem, 


13 




Adams Houses, Quincy, ... 


14 




Wayside Inn, Sudbury, . - . 


15 




Topsfield Garrison House, Topsfield, 


16 




Manning House, Billerica, . . . 


17 




Old Parsonage, Watertown, . - - 


18 





i^H' i »i[ li I If 



vi 


COHTEflTS 


Con- 
tents 








Illustration and Description of 


PAGE 




Old Castle, Pigeon Cove, Rockport, 


19 




Fillebrown House, Arlington, . - - 


20 




Old Garrison House, Medford, - - - 


21 




Minot House, Concord, - - - - 


22 




House at Merriam's Corner, Concord, - 


23 




Fairbanks House, Dedham, . . - 


24 




Standish House, Duxbury, . . . 


25 




Old Custom House, Annisquam, 


26 




Dennison House, •■ . . . 


26 




Theodore Parker's Birthplace, Lexington, 


27 




Hooker House, Hadley, . . . 


28 




Craddock Farm House and the "Old Fort", Wellington, 29 




Joseph Peaslee House, East Haverhill, 


30 



HANCOCK HOUSE 




ANCOCK House; built in 1737, by Thomas, second son of Rev. John 
Hancock of Lexington, and uncle of the Governor. 

This house was also the home of John Hancock, the first Governor of 
Massachusetts, under the State Constitution. 

John Hancock was born at Quincy, Massachusetts, January 12th, 1737. After 
taking his degree at Harvard College in 1754, he began a mercantile career, and on the 
death of his uncle in 1764, succeeded to a large fortune and established business. 

In 1766 he was representative to the Massachusetts house, for the city of Boston. 
After the " Boston Massacre" in 1770, Hancock inveighed with such spirit and bitterness 
against the troops and their officers, demanding their removal from town, that he became 
obnoxious to the Government ; and five years later, the attempt to seize his person led to 
the first revolutionary battle at Concord. 

In 1774 Hancock was president of the provincial congress, and from 1775 to 1777, 
of the general congress at Philadelphia, where he was the first to sign the Declaration of 
Independence. Returning to Massachusetts he assisted in framing its constitution and 
in 1780 was chosen first governor. He was annually re-elected to this office until 
1785, and again from 1787 to 1793, sitting as an ordinary member of the Legislature In 
the interval. 

He received the degree of L.L.D. from Harvard university in 1792 and died at 
Quincy, October 8th, 1793. 



1737 



rfti* ' "••-^^- »•■' ■ 



1676 




PAUii i^evehe's house 



Point. 



AUL Revere's House, North Square, Boston, Mass.. was built in 1676, 
and was purchased by Revere in 1770, and occupied by him for 30 years. 
Paul Revere was born in Boston, January 1st, 1735; at the age of 
21, he was second lieutenant of artillery under Col. Gridley at Crown 
Paul Revere was an engraver and goldsmith by trade and also a dentist making 
artificial teeth which was a new invention at that time. He made silver ware for table 
use, and also had a large furnace where he cast brass cannon, bells and like articles, also 
making copper bolts, spikes and other ship material. His engraving of the Boston 
Massacre is one of his greatest works. 

He v/as from the first a daring Patriot being one of the leaders in the "Boston Tea 
Party" and afterwards riding from Boston to New York and Philadelphia to carry the 
nev/s of the venture. After the evacuation of Boston, Paul Revere was appointed 
major and later became a lieutenant-colonel of artillery, serving until the close of the war. 
The first president of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanics Association was 
Paul Revere, and in 1795, as Grand Master of the Lodge of Massachusetts he laid the 
corner-stone of the State House. 

The Old House in Watertown, Mass. is the one in which Paul Revere engraved 
ind struck off the Colonial notes authorized by the Provincial Congress. 

Among his Copper-plate engravings were " Repeal of the Stamp Act" made in 1766, 
Landing of the British Troops in Boston" in 1774. 



PIERCH HOUSE 




station, ani 



lERCE House, Oak Avenue, Dorchester, built about 1640 by Robert Pierce, 
and is one of the oldest houses in Massachusetts. 

it is believed that Robert Pierce came over in the Mary and John in 
the year 1630, and that he built a small house near the site of Neponset 
!s claimed by some people that he built the present house as early as 1635, 
while others claim different dates from that time to 1640. 

The house stands on rising ground and commands a fine view ; it faces to the south 
and is built, as many of the earlier houses were, with very steep roofs and a leanto extend- 
ing nearly to the ground. 

At the death of Robert Pierce, one-half of the house came into possession of his 
son, Thomas, who was born in 1635 ; he came into full possession at the death of his 
mother, in 1695. 

At the death of Thomas, the homestead became the property of his son, John, who 
was born in 1668 ; from John the house came to his son, Samuel, who was bom in 1702 
and there lived until his death, in September, 1768, at which time the homestead came to 
Samuel Pierce, Jr., who was born in 1739, and in 1776 became a lieutenant-colonel in 
the Continental Army. 

Colonel Pierce died in 1815, leaving the house to his son, Lewis, who lived there 
until 1871, when he died, leaving the property to his son, Lewis, who died in 1888, and 
the old homestead then became the property of its present owner, William A. Pierce. 



ld4U 




1640 



BURi^E HOUSE 




LAKe House, near Five Corners, Dorchester, Mass. was built about 1640 
by James Blake, son of William Blake who carne to this country in 1636. 
James Blake was born in 1 623 and was one of the most prominent men 
of the district, having successfully filled numerous offices of trust from the 
year 1 658 to 1 685 ; he was also sergeant in the military company, and prominent in 
church affairs, being a deacon for a number of years and afterwards was chosen elder 
which position he held until his death in 1700. 

At the death of James Blake the property came to his son John, who was born March 
16th, 1657. The old house remained in the Blake family until 1825, when it was sold 
to a family by the name of Williams. 

The city recently purchased the lot of land on which this house stood, to be used for 
greenhouse purposes, and offered the old house to the Dorchester Historical Society if 
they would remove the same. The city allowed the house to be moved upon the tri- 
angular piece of land at the junction of Pond street and the Parkway, at the Five Corners. 

The society intend to furnish and fit up the house in colonial style. A portion of 

the old building will be set off for a museum and library, which will contain relics of the 
Indians and early settlers of Dorchester, and every work obtainable relating to the history 
of the town. The furniture will be given by the descendants of the early Dorchester 
settlers, many of whom still reside in Dorchester, and who will avail themselves of this 
opportunity of preserving and handing down to future generations, their family heirlooms. 







VY^,. 




WAI^F^EN House .TVoKBUft-^ ,.■■■' 



til imMi'Ti — 



WflHREH HOUSE 



11 




ARREN House, Roxbury, Mass., site of the birthplace of Gen. Joseph 
Warren. The General was born in a house that stood on this site, 
June 11, 1741, a direct descendant of one of the early settlers of Boston. 
Warren graduated at Harvard in 1759 and began the practice of 
medicineln 1762, but his patriotism and devotion to the cause of liberty soon caused him 
to abandon his professional career and devote his time to the good of his country. 

The plan for town meetings was first drawn up in September, 1768, by Warren, Otis 
and Samuel Adams. He was a leader in the secret caucuses that met at their houses. 

Warren and Samuel Adams, working together, were the brains and soul of the early 
movement in Massachusetts. Warren was one of the committee to prevent the land- 
ing of the tea in Boston. 

He told the Suffolk County Convention, in September, that "a sovereign who breaks 
his compact with his people forfeits their allegiance," and wrote to Quincy, two months 
later, that if the recent acts were not repealed, the two countries had better separate. 

Warren personally handed to Gen. Gage, papers protesting against the fortifications 
being built around Boston. 

In 1774 he was at the head of the Provincial Congress and Committee of Safety. 

Warren declined the post of surgeon-general and accepted from Massachusetts, June 
14th. that of major-general. General Warren fell, fighting for the cause he loved, at 
Bunker Hill, June 17th. 1775. 



1741 



12 



HUSSEbLi HOUSE 



1775 



ussELL House, Arlington, Mass., scene of the murder of Jason Russell, 
with other patriots, by British troops, April 19th, 1775. 
The story is well told by Mrs. Teel in "Drake's Old Landmarks." 

P^^i^ A " After the regulars had passed up to Lexington, a number of the 

minuFe-men who had collected here thought a good opportunity would occur to harrass 
them on their return. To this end they made a small brestwork of casks, shingles, and 
such movables as they could readily obtain, near the present gate and next the road. 

From behind this cover the patriots fired on Percy's van, but they had not taken into 
account the flank-guards moving across the fields parallel with the main body. Hem- 
med in between these two columns, the minute-men sought shelter within the dwelling. 

My grandfather, Jason Russell then lived in the house. He had conducted his 
wife and children to a high hill back of the house, and was returning, when he was dis- 
covered and pursued, with the others, into the house. 

He was first shot and then bayoneted. The bloody stains remained until recently 
upon the floor, where he with ten others, perished while in vain entreating mercy. 

Several Americans of the ill-fated band, which belonged to Lynn, Danvers and 
Beverly, retreated into the cellar and as they were well armed, the British durst not fol- 
low them, but discharged several volleys into the entrance." 

Jason Russell was an invalid, and it is thought imprudently returned to his dwelling 
to save some articles of value. 



f^OGEt^ WILblRMS' HOUSE 



13 



OGER Williams' House, Salem, Mass., known also as the "Old Witch 
House " from the fact that preliminary examinations of those charged 
with witchcraft, in 1692, were held in one of its rooms. The house 

\i!^^r A "^^ occupied at that time by Jonathan Corwin, one of the Judges in witch- 
crait trials. 

The house was built in 1631 by Roger Williams, who came to this country in that 
year and accepted an invitation to become pastor of a church in Salem, on April 12th, the 
same day that the magistrates were assembled at Boston to express disapproval of the 
scheme. To escape persecution he went to Plymouth and became assistant pastor 
there, returning in 1633 to Salem as assistant pastor, and succeeding, the following year, 
as sole pastor. Chiefly on account of his pronounced opinions regarding the restricted 
sphere of the civil magistrate in religious matters, he came into conflict with the court of 
Massachusetts, and being banished from the colony, left with a few others in 1636 for 
Narragansett Bay. 

At first they received a grant of land from an Indian Chief which is now included in 
Seekonk, Mass., and began to build houses, but in the following summer he and five 
others, embarked in a canoe for Rhode Island, and founded a settlement to which 
Williams gave the name of Providence. In 1643 Williams proceeded to England and 
succeeded in obtaining, in March, 1644, an independent charter. 

In 1 649 he was chosen deputy president. 



1631 



14 



ADAMS HOUSES 



1700 




11 



iAMS Houses, on ■• Presidents' Avenue," Quincy, Mass. The house to 
the right was the birthplace of John Adams, and was built in 1700. 

John Adams was born October 19, 1735; he was married in 1764, 
and his son, John Quincy Adams, was born in the house to the right, July 
1767 ; this house was built about 1764. 
President John Adams commenced life as a lawyer, being admitted to the Suffolk 
bar, at which time he also commenced his political career; he obtained considerable 
prominence from " The Stamp Act," and he was also an early advocate of " Good Roads." 
In 1778, John Adams went to Europe to represent Congress, taking his son, John Quincy, 
with him ; he returned in August, 1779, and was ordered back in November of the same 
year, staying this time about nine years. 

From the Boston Herald of October 20, 1896, we quote: 

"The members of Adams Chapter, D. R., of Quincy, formally opened their new 
home in the old John Adams' house, in South Quincy, yesterday. The house, which is a 
prominent historic landmark, has been fitted up by the chapter for its headquarters, and 
will also be its meeting place. 

The occasion was also the anniversary of the birth of President John Adams. Among 
the members of the Adams family present, were Miss Elizabeth Adams, now in her 89th 
year, and her brother, Mr. Isaac Hull Adams, great-grandchildren of President Adams." 
The John Quincy Adams house is now the home of the Historical Society. 



WflVSlDE I^IH 




AYSiDE Inn, Sudbury, Mass., built in 1686. It was originally called the 
Red Horse, and from 1714 to the completion of a century and a half, 
was kept as an inn by generation after generation of the Howes. 

It is this house that Longfellow made memorable by his " Tales of a 
Wayside Inn." 

The Red Horse, as it was originally called, was on the main road to Worcester, 
about twenty-three miles from Boston, where the " White Horse Inn," which was owned 
by the family, was equally noted. 

The road on which the " Red Horse" stands was first a regular post-route in 1711, 
the New York mail going over it twice a week ; but previous to this time, there was a 
western mail carried over it at irregular intervals. 

The great hall of the inn extends from front to back of the house ; as one enters, the 
office, which also contains the old-fashioned bar, is on the right, with the tap-room adjoin- 
ing. Overhead is a stout hook, which was used to chain prisoners to when the sheriff 
stopped on his way to Boston, 

Washington once dined at this house when on his way to Boston. 

David Howe was the first landlord, until his death in 1746, when the inn became the 
property of his son, Ezekiel, who was a lieutenant-colonel and fought at Concord and 
Lexington. The colonel died in 1796, leaving the property to his son, Adam, from 
whom it descended to his son, Lyman, who conducted the inn from 1831 until about 1860. 



15 



1686 




TOPSFIEIiD GflR^^ISOK HOUSE 



/lOPSFiELD Garrison House, Topsfield, Mass., was built in the year 1640, 
and was used as a garrison-house during the early Colonial days when 
Indian raids were frequent. Two epochs of American history are more 
or less connected with the ancient homesteads of America ; that of the 
period of the French and Indian wars, and the later span of years covering the Revolution 
for Independence. 

Of the former, endless tales might be told. The Topsfield house is perhaps one 
of the best types of garrison or block-house to be seen in the country. The location 
upon the crest of a hill was a prime necessity, or at the best a decided advantage. 

The forest was cleared for some distance away, and thus every approach to the gar- 
rison-house could be readily commanded. This was easily accomplished, in the repul- 
sion of assault, by musket fire from the loop holes cut for that purpose, and in the case of 
the sudden rush of a large storming party, who might reach the walls, the value of the 
overhang became apparent, for a telling and murderous fire could thus be directed upon 
the very heads of the savages as they sought to batter in the heavy doors. 

In some cases the roof was capped by a sort of observatory, where a swivel gun was 
mounted that could readily be trained upon any point of the surrounding forest, and the 
sound of artillery had a most quieting effect upon the savages of those days. 

Few buildings now remaining from those perilous days of yore, show the overhang to 
better advantage than does the Topsfield Garrison-House. 




OtLl/PlEIl AT '^Nt Tint. 
^SV n E N ON P ^^fC^i^Ej 



MANNING HOUSE 



17 




ANNiNG House, Billerica, Mass., built in 1647. 

This house is still another type of colonial architecture, showing the 
shed roof-extention running back from the gable ridge, down nearly to the 
ground at the rear. Just why, one is puzzled to decide, as this house, 
foT instance, was built in 1647, when the Indians were all about, and if the low roof then 
existed, it would have been looked upon as a fine means of attack, especially for the pur- 
pose of destruction by fire. But doubtless this portion of the house, like fully one half 
of most of the larger colonial houses, was added at a later date. 

The chimney is somewhat odd in section, but of a pattern not uncommon, where 
many rooms were to be heated from one chimney, and as the house was enlarged there 
must be added an ell, so to speak, to the chimney. Some of the chimneys of old colo- 
nial houses have as many as from 12 to 15 flues in one stack. 

The principal known incident of interest attached to the Manning house, is that it 
was used to quarter a portion of the troops of the conquered Burgoyne after that doughty 
and boastful commander had been forced to pause in his expedition across the country, 
and yield up his forces after the battle of Saratoga. 

Like many another, Burgoyne found to his sorrow, that the "rebels" were rather a 
sturdy race of free men who had too much of the Anglo-Saxon blood in their veins to sub- 
mit to oppression from those of their own race and language. They were born, as is 
every true Englishman as well, to rule themselves. 



1647 



18 



ITZ'I 



OliD PAI^SO^flGE 




LD Parsonage, Watertown, Mass. This picturesque and very interest- 
ing old building was, for over a century, a good representative of revolu- 
tionary times. Although it can no longer be found among the buildings 
of the town, having been taken, down to give place to the latest and most 
luxurious of church edifices, the Methodist Church, it will long retain its interest in the 
minds of all citizens of Watertown, and of the many strangers who have passed along the' 
old road from the Colleges at Cambridge, to Newton or to Waltham. 

The date of the building of this house is still uncertain, probably near the beginning 
of the last century. The town purchased the land and building of Daniel Hastings in 
1754, (he bought it in 1725,) "for the use of the ministry". 

The purchase of this house, in the ministry of Rev. Seth Storer, Pastor from 1 724 
to 1774, marks the settlement of the vexed question of church location which had troubled 
the town from the days of Sir Richard Saltonstall who provided the first house, through 
the years which led to the loss of Weston and then Waltham, to the location of the church 
and parsonage in the present neighborhood of all our modern churches. 

This parsonage was first used by Mr. Storer during the last twenty years of his long 
ministry, then perhaps by Daniel Adams, and was last used by Richard Rosewell Eliot, a 
descendent of Eliot the Apostle to the Indians, minister of the town from 1780 to 1818; 
the old parsonage continued to be occupied by his widow for many years. It was not 
again occupied as a parsonage. Solon F. Whitney. 



PflUb F^EVEF^E dEWEbS. 

The engraving on the opposite page is a direct reproduction of a photograph 
of the original Jewels made by Paul Revere and presented to the officers of 
King Solomon Lodge at the time of its institution. 




PAUL REVERE JEWELS. 



OLD CflSTLB 



19 




LD Castle. Pigeon Cove, Rockport, Mass., the oldest house on Cape Ann, 
built in 1643. 

"The Old Castle" is the suggestive name borne by the gray old relic 
shown in the engraving. Standing on the bleak and lonely headland 
tnat marks the outermost point of Massachusetts, its very atmosphere seems to savor of 
the days when Philip led his warriors to the midnight attack, or bold Macy, fleeing from 
the wrath of persecution, sailed bravely past on his way to the barren but hospitable isle 
of Nantucket. 

To these seaward relics there attaches an interest that is lacking in those of a more 
inland situation, and one would fain picture to himself, as he looks upon them, the hurried 
sally of the pirate crew, as they left their shallop or pinnace upon the cove beach, and 
fell in murderous attack upon the coast dweller whom they suspected of the indiscretion 
of being possessed of wealth. 

Little is known of its actual history, but it has stood, a mute sentinel of the grim past, 
defying the storms of the Atlantic, for over two centuries. 

The overhanging upper story tells the tale of its first uses, those of ever-ready 
defence against the insidious attacks of a foe that knew no fairness, and who delighted to 
creep upon their prey unawares. 

Its clapboards and shingles are yielding to the tooth of time, but the silent glory of 
its history, unwritten as it is, will never fade. 



1643 




FIbliEBHOWH HOUSE 



'iLLEBROWN HousE, Arlington, TVIass. is one of the most romantic in ap- 
pearance and picturesque in location of the old historic houses of Massa- 
^ chusetts. The exact date of the building of the original house is 
uncertain, but it dates back to the early Indian times; the addition to the 
driginar was built in 1 793. 

It is a good specimen of the type of old American houses that is still common among 
the country towns, and has been perpetuated in many farm houses of a later period. 

Lacking the spacious plan, upper story and huge gable or gambrel roof of the more 
pretentious of the colonial houses, this t3rpe presents a certain cosiness lacking in the other. 

The space contained within this cottage type is sometimes surprising and the more so, 
in that the attic was in most cases left practically unfinished, one long "back chamber" 
as it is commonly called. Here the numerous children were sheltered for the night, 
sleeping in rooms formed by either half partitions, or mere hangings. The engraving 
shows a Dutch oven to the right of the yawning fireplace, where the baking was done. 

The front door is six panelled, and is doubtless the same that served the first owner. 
The chimney is massive, out of all proportion to so small a house, but it was in the old 
days, the heart of the house, for every room must have its fireplace opening into the one 
great chimney. It would seem as if time, aided by neglect, must reduce these old 
homesteads to speedy ruin, but they never-the-less stand, and the Fillebrown house, with 
its battered frame and crazy clapboards, is but one of many dwelling spots of its kind. 




1 


• 






a 


-^ 


.OR 




i 


1 


W^ 




11 


m 


!■'■ ■! 


^ iils^M^i 



Vs*?>v- 



Otf Oarm/on HoV/E 




OLsD GRI^HISON HOUSE 




LD Garrison House, Medford, Mass., built in 1649 (or 1689, authorities 
differ,) by Jonathan Wade. 

It was originally one half its present size, the addition being built by 
Benj. Hall, about one hundred and twenty years ago. 
It is situated on Governor's Lane, near High Street. Its walls are very thick and 
it is fitted with what have been called " Port-holes". 

Its four chimneys, all of immense size, would seem to indicate that it saw later 
service as a place of social gathering as well as a refuge in time of attack. 

It is one of the few buildings of its class that is in well-nigh perfect preservation, and 
when one considers the two and a half centuries that it has withstood, it is remarkable 
that even stout timbering and solid brick should have resisted so well the assaults of time. 
Medford had its own prominent part in the early history of the Bay State, and other 
old houses within its borders could tell stirring tales of struggle and victory against the 
wily savage or the arrogant foe from across the sea. 

But neither the Craddock House or the Craddock Fort can boast of a sturdier front 
than that of the stout old Garrison House. 



*tft 



ftrt 



r$» <!$» 



21 



1649 



22 



MINOT HOUSE 



1760 




INOT House, Concord, Mass., built in 1760. In the Minot house is 
seen a type of colonial dwelling house that is undeniably unique. 

It is especially pleasing to the artistic eye, in that it not only shows, 
in good preservation, a house, the work of which is one hundred and 
Trfy-six years old, but also, in its design and construction, presents lines that are no less 
comely and restful, than odd. 

Nearly a square in plan, its one story is surmounted by a hip roof of peculiar pattern, 
being broken by a knuckle or gambrel joint, as in the two sides of the true gambrel roof. 

In the centre of the very top is the wide chimney. The lower slope of the roof is 
pierced by dormer windows, and there is probably a fairly roomy half story lighted by them. 
In the annals of old Concord it is mentioned that when Harvard College was re- 
moved from Cambridge, that the property might be devoted to the use of the American 
army, the professors were quartered at different points of the town, and the president him- 
self, lived at the home of Doctor Minot. 

A notable feature of the house is the front doorway, which has a six-panelled door, 
pilasters at the sides, and a transom light of unusual size above the valve. 

The windows have each twenty-four panes of glass. A picturesque old shed with 
a double arch front, stands to the right, at the rear. 

This house was but fifteen years old when the musketry was first heard at Concord 
bridge 




Tnr MiNoT Ho^.-e 

C ONCofvf — 



,7^ 




i?*" 



'y 



HOUSE AT IVIEHP^IRM'S COKNEH 



23 




ousE AT Merriam's Corner, Concord, Mass., built in 1750; scene of 
a skirmish on April 17th, 1775, in which several British soldiers were 
killed. 

jn(^^^'*^^5^ "All being at length collected, the troops began their march, - the 

main body by the road, a strong flanking column by the burying-ground hill. This hill 
terminates, at the distance of a mile from the centre of the town, at Merriam's Corner. 

The flanking column had to descend the hill at this point, where the road passes the 
low meadow by a causeway until it reaches the hill beyond. Near the corner was a 
bridge thrown over a brook, which the road crossed. Merriam's house and barn are 
still seen in the angle where the Bedford road unites with that coming from Lexington. 

From behind these buildings, gallant John Brooks with his Reading company arrived 
in time to pour a volley among the enemy as they were passing the bridge. Brooks, a 
captain in Bridge's regiment, had received his colonel's permission to push on while the 
regiment halted for refreshment. Loammi Baldwin came up with the Woburn men, 
who drifted in a cloud along the British flank. 

The men of Sudbury, of Lincoln, and even Parker's from Lexington, joined in the 
race, for race it was beginning to be. The fields grew armed men, and the highway 
was fringed with fire-arms. The six miles from Concord back to Lexington were per- 
fectly adapted to the Guerilla- fighting of the Americans." 

From Drake's •• Old Landmarks of Middlesex." 



1750 



24 



1636 



FfllRBflj^I^S HOUSE 




Fairbanks House, Dedham, Mass., built by Jonathan Fairbanks, in 1636, 
the frame of the main portion of the house being made of timber brought 
^ from Yorkshire in the year 1633, at which time he, with his wife and six 
children, came to Boston. 

The homestead has always remained the property of direct descendants of the family, 
having descended from Jonathan to his eldest son, John, who was married in 1641 to 
Sarah Fiske ; at his death, the property came to his youngest sons, Joseph and Benjamin; 
Joseph died in 1734, and his son, Joseph, succeeded to the homestead; Joseph, the 
second, married Abigail Deane in 1716, and the estate was left to their son, Ebenezer, 
from v/hom the estate descended to his son, Ebenezer, Jr., who was born January 5, 1758, 
and died November 24, 1832. 

Ebenezer, Jr., was a member of the " Minute-men " and a man of considerable note. 
The old homestead was left to his children, and after their death descended to the young- 
est daughter of his son Joshua; Miss Rebecca, who is the sole owner and occupant. 

To the orignial or main part of the house has been added two wings of the gambrel 
roof pattern. The roof of the main portion extends nearly to the ground, the windows 
are placed where most convenient and are of different sizes, and the whole effect of the 
house, set as it is among large trees, is very picturesque. 

The doorways are low and the entry unusually small, while the different additions to the 
house have been built on different levels. The old house is filled with interesting relics. 



STflJ^DlSH HOUSE 



25 




TANDiSH House, Duxbury, built in 1665 or 1666, by Alexander, son of 

Captain Miles Standish. The captain's house stood on a hill within sight 

of the present house ; the cellar is all that remains to mark the spot. 

There is a stone erected to his memory, which is shown in the engraving. 

Standish settled at Duxbury, in 1632, and erected his house on the high hill 

near where the present house stands, the ruins of which were visible until within a few years. 

Miles Standish was born about 1584, in Lancashire, England, and descended from the 

rightful heirs of Duxbury Hall. 

Standish entered the English army and rose to the rank of captain. He was in com- 
mand of the sixteen armed men who were sent ashore from the Mayflower, November 2 1 , 
1620, on an exploring expedition. 

Standish went to England, as agent for the colony, in 1625, and returned the next 
year with supplies, at which time he settled in Duxbury. Longfellow thus describes the 
captain's appearance and character : 

" Short of stature he was, but strongly built and athletic, 
Broad in the shoulders, deep-chested, with muscles and sinews of iron, 
Somewhat hasty and hot (he could not deny it), and head-strong, 
Stern as a soldier might be, but hearty and placable always. 
Not to be laughed at and scorned, because he was little of stature, 
For he was great of heart, magnanimous, courtly, courageous." 

The captain died at Duxbury, October 3, 1656, and the granite monument erected to 
his memory on Captain's Hill, can be seen to the left of the house. 



1665 



26 



L683 



1727 



OLD CUSTOM HOUSE 




LD Custom House, Annisquam, Mass. At this house is supposed to 
have lived the Customs officer who had charge of the first customs busi- 
ness of the Colonies at the port of Gloucester, which was one of the first 
• --i',-»n_*^ ports of the Colony. 

The acts of Parliment for regulating the trade of the Colonies were disregarded, and 
smuggling, and fraudulent entries, at which the revenue-officers connived were common. 
Gloucester had, as early as 1683, been made one of the lawful ports of the Colony 
and Samuel Fellows was officer of customs ; he was an ensign in the company of Jonathan 
Fellows in 1755, and captain of one of the king's armed cutters in 1769; and while he 
was customs officer he made himself so odious to the people that a mob of about seventy 
persons, headed by some of the leading men of the town, started in search of him one 
night, but he sought safety in flight. 

Dennison House, Annisquam, was built in the year 1727 by George Dennison, and 
is still owned and occupied by his descendants. 

" George Dennison first appears here on the occasion of his marriage to Abagail 
Haraden, January 14th, 1725. He had several children; and died March 14th, 1748. 

His son Isaac died April 2nd, 1811, aged 79 years; leaving a son Isaac who was a 
soldier in the Revolutionary War, and died June 21, 1841, aged 80 years." 

Babson's History of Gloucester. 



-j?-^ 




,^< 







BmrnfLAfE 

Ot- 

TnCOOOREfflRKFn,. 



THEODORE Pnf^KER'S BiKTHPbflCE 



27 




Theodore Parker's Birthplace, Waltham, Mass. Theodore Parker 
was born August 24th, 1810; his father, John Parker, was a farmer and 
skilful mechanic and one of the first federalists in Massachusetts. 

Capt. John Parker, his grandfather, fired the first shot upon the 
feritisFaFthe battle of Lexington, commanding at that time a company of seventy men. 

The historic old musket, from which the shot was fired, became the valued property 
of the grandson. At the age of twenty Theodore entered Harvard and in 1834 he took 
up the theological course and studied fourteen hours a day, studying in addition to the 
regular course, the history of non-Christian religions. 

After leaving college he began the translation of De Wette's Introduction to the Old 
Testament. Beside the modern European languages he was acquainted with the 
Hebrew, Chaldee, Syriac, Arabic, Coptic, Ethiopic and classical languages. 

Parker was ordained in June, 1837 and had a pastorate at Roxbury until 1843, where 
he was much liked. In 1841 he preached a sermon at Boston on "the transient and 
permanent in Christianity " which caused the Unitarian clergy to denounce him and close 
their pulpits against him. At the risk of his life he powerfully advocated the emancipa- 
tion of the slaves, throughout the States, and he assisted in the escape of fugitive slaves ; 
he helped to furnish John Brown with means for carrying out his schemes of liberation. 

Parker published numerous theological works, among which was, " A Discourse on 
Matters pertaining to Religion," in 1842; he died at Rome, May 10th, 1860. 



18iU 



28 



Hooi^EH HOUSE 



1810 




OOKER House, Hadley, Mass., the birthplace of General Joseph Hooker. 
Joseph Hooker was born November 13th, 1814. He was educated at 
the West Point Academy, and on graduating in 1837 was commissioned 
second lieutenant in the 1st Artillery. 

In the Mexican V/ar he served as aide-de-camp and assistant adjutant-general, and 
was breveted captain, major, and lieutenant-colonel, and commissioned captain, for meri- 
torious work in the engagements at Monterey, National Bridge and Chapultepec. 

in 1849 he was transferred with his regiment to California and resigned his com- 
mission in 1853 and run a farm from then until 1858, when he became superintendent of 
military roads in Oregon. At the opening of the civil war he sacrificed his estates and 
offered his services to the Federal Government and was commissioned brigadier-general 
of volunteers. May 17th, 1861, and major-general in May, 1862. At Williamsburg, 
May 5th, he attacked a strong Confederate position and fought desparately for nine hours, 
winning the title of " Fighting Joe." He was engaged at Fair Oaks, at Malvern Hill, 
and did signal service at Charles City Cross Roads, June 29th, when his division aided in 
holding a vital position on the flank of the Union Army, in its noted " change of base. " 

He opened the battle of Antietam and was pitted against "Stonewall" Jackson, at 
the noted '• cornfield. " He was commissioned brigadier-general in the United States 
army, September 20th, 1862, and commanded the army of the Potomac in Jan. 1863. 
He was commissioned brevet-major-general Mar. 13, 1865, and died Oct. 31st. 1879. 



'^ 










flMttv. ^^'/ 



THL ^ RAIIlIOCK PARM HOUSE lt>( 









/ 



i..,..^-T) 



m t 




W V i. hA TIlOi 



Ml ,1 I loosi. 'Tilt Old Fgnr" IC;4 



CRflDDOCf^ FRHM HOUSE 



29 




DOCK Farm House, Wellington, Mass., formerly a part of Medford, 
was built by Governor Craddock as a farm-house to his large estate, 
half a mile east of his famous " Fort " or garrison house. 
"The Old Fort," built in 1634, is situated in Medford, Mass., and was 
ised as a' garrison house during the Indian troubles, although there is no authentic record 
jf an attack ever having been made on it by the Indians. 

This " Old Fort" was built by Matthew Craddock, the first Governor of the Mass- 
ichusetts Bay Co., and was evidently erected for his residence, although it is not known 
:hat he ever lived in It. The walls are built of brick, most of which are very crude and 
:vidently made by the workmen from material close at hand, and are eighteen inches in 
hickness. It was built with the idea of withstanding the attack of the Indians, and one 
vho views the heavy iron-cased door, the iron-barred windows and close shutters, will have 
10 doubt that it would fulfill its mission. 

Governor Craddock was one of the leading members of the " Company of Massa- 

husetts Bay," and was one of the petitioners to the king for the charter which was granted 

)y Charles I., under the title of " Charter of the Massachusetts Bay in New England." 

Craddock's license for Governor read as follows : " And, for the better execution of 
3ur royal pleasure and grant In this behalf, we do. by this present, for us, our heirs and 
successors, nominate, make, and constitute our well-beloved, the said Matthew Craddock, 
be the first and present Governor of the said Company." 



1634 



30 



JOSEPH PEflSbEE HOUSE 



1670 




OSEPH Peaslee House, or the " Old Garrison House " stands close to the 
roadway, a short distance from Rock's Bridge, in East Haverhill, Mass., 
and was built about 1670 by Joseph Peaslee, the only son of Joseph 
W Peaslee, Sr. one of Haverhill's earliest settlers and a Quaker of consider- 
able note at that time. The house is very picturesque and pleasantly situated, facing 
the south and was built for protection against the Indian raids so common in the early 
settlement of the country, of solid oak and brick, and sixteen inches thick. 

In 1690 the selectmen of the town appointed, among others, this house as a "house 
of refuge" in time of trouble with the Indians. 

Joseph Peaslee was chosen constable of the town in 1687. The Peaslee's Mills 
were built by Joseph about 1692. 

It is stated that the first Quaker meetings ever held in this part of the country were 
held in this house, and the Quaker burying-place was in one corner of the farm lot. 

Joseph Peaslee died November 5th, 1723, and the house descended to his son 
Robert Peaslee. 

The younger son, Nathaniel, who was known as Colonel, represented the town in the 
Legislature between 1737 and 1753 ; he was the grandfather of Hon. Nathaniel Peaslee 
Sergeant, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts. 

Mary, the daughter of Joseph, who was the great-grandmother of John Greenleaf 
Whittier, was born in this house. 





31 




Errata. 






«SS9^fe%!^ 


ErraU 


On page 7 


1st line, add Boston, Mass. 




On page 12 


- 5th line, read "harass" in place of "harrass" and in 6th 
line read "breastwork" in place of "brestwork". 




On page 24 


- 15th line read "original" in place of "orignial". 




On page 26 - 


5th line read "Parlament" in place of "Parliment", 




On page 27 


- 1st line, read "Lexington" in place of "Waltham" as the 
house is in Lexington although a part of the land is with- 
in the limits of Waltham. 




On page 28 


- 1 3th line, read "desperately" in place of "desparately". 





H 65 7 



> 



.^'^ v!i^ 






■• -^■■■' •■^'- **-^** •■^■- S-/^ •'^-- **-/ •■*^^**- ^' 

<;^ -TXT* A <\. 'o..* ,&^ ^5 ,-^1'*' 











"^^ 



,v 



4 o 



■y "o^'^'^'V V'^^^'V^ "°^^^'^'%o' "\ 




^4>o^ 










•Jo —. - - 









-o-.^^- ^^^-^'^o^ V'^^^'V "°^*^"'%o' V*^*y' % 
























''-'^^' :f 

































^-^9^' 







K^-' 



A*' 






"J.*^ . o « o , 







»■ 






^^0^ 














<> *.'7V«' -0 



^^:^p^; 



°,, ♦ . . ' ,0-' 









\*^^'^/ "o^-*^-/ ^^^*^.'^«^^ "°^ -.» ^^ 






."i^C^ 



A <* ' • • * 

A* ° " • ♦ <^ 















■c' 



- V 

1" J 



^-^ ,v^^ ,.''?^l^'-. V,.^"" '>§»« >^^ ,vv^ /^fe'-. V,/ '"^ 



'^^ 



